Newbie! Right in my city downtown!

I'm so new to this! I've wanted chickens for years but finally convinced my husband. I'm supposed to get 2 ameraucana and 2 buff orpingtons March 13th as day olds. And then 2 barred rocks on the 29fh. I'm starting to freak out! I'm worried about predators. Like reading some posts has me scared. I want to be the best mama to these chicks as possible!

Any advice before we build our coop? I'm assuming since I'm in the downtown I'm only looking at cats and coons as predators.

Is it worth it? Should I stop worrying and just build the dang thing but take all the care to make it as safe as possible?

Welcome to BYC. Depending upon where you are located, coyotes, fox and dogs may cause problems as well as hawks and GHO. Check out the coop section and build as well as you can, and hopefully all will be fine.

Dogs will be your biggest problem but coyote, owl, skunk, raccoon, hawks and humans are also on the list.

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The run will have hardware cloth all over it to protect from birds and prey. And coop will have a lock on it for night as I was a bit concerned about humans as well but praying people see it as a really awesome thing and just respect it.

Welcome to BYC
Predators like raccoons and cats will usually attack at night so build the coop so it is nice and protected. During the day though provide nice hideouts like bushes and/or some little woodens shades so the chickens can hide from the birds of prey. But for the moment just relax on keeping the day old chicks happy inside in their brooder box. Best of luck in chickeneering.

Many predators have adapted quite well to living among humans and benefit highly from it. Their major enemies are cars. Coyotes have been spotted all over the Chicago suburbs and even in downtown areas - so they are everywhere. If they thrive in Chicago, they can thrive anywhere.